Raising a Reader

293!  That is 293 minutes of reading, at home during the evenings and weekends, from September 5th to September 30th.  The goal set by Summer's teacher was 150 minutes. I am really impressed at how quickly she is picking up new words.  It is always a challenge to get her to want to read.  Playing on the computer is SO much more fun, I am told.  But I think she is starting to really feel successful.

Yesterday my uncle John stopped in for an overnight visit.  He is on his way home to Nelson, BC from Haliburton where he spent two months installing an amazing sculpture in the Haliburton Sculpture Forest next to Fleming College.  It was a short visit but Summer was just as excited to see him, even though it has been a year since she saw him last.  Below she demonstrates her reading expertise.

Where has the summer gone?

It seems our summer really started on July 10th when Don returned from his tour in Afghanistan.  We are settling back into family routines nicely and some days it seems like he was never away.

Our summer activities filled the days and weeks.  A trip to BC to see our family, Daddy Daughter camping weekend in Temagami, birthday parties, road trips, play dates and beach time - then Wham! back to school arrived before we had time to blink.

Summer started grade two this week.  She continues to share an EA with Ethan who is in Grade 3, so she is fortunate to be in a 2/3 split.  She is a well adjusted kid so it has not phased her.  However, her bestie is not in her class this year and I think that is tough on both of them since they have been in the same class and daycare for 4 years.  That is over half your life, when you are 7.

Summer starts dance class again this year.  She has chosen to do Jazz and Tapp.  It will be a nice change from the Hip Hop.

First day of school.